Looks like Tim Hughes of the Courier Mail in Australia thinks the collapse of our cod fishery here in Newfoundland and Labrador has been “a blessing in disguise.”
I guess some of the problems facing Australia are the same problems we are facing right here in our province.
Last year I spent some time in the Canadian province of Newfoundland. It is a land of hundreds upon hundreds of unbelievably picturesque fishing villages. But while they are extremely well kept, half of the houses are now holiday homes for their departed residents.
The collapse of Newfoundland’s cod fishery could have been a disaster but, in fact, it has proved a blessing in disguise.
Large numbers of those Newfoundland fishermen have crossed the country and are now earning very high salaries working in the oil sands mines of Alberta. They are better off and Canada is better off as a result.
I'm a dad, raconteur, scallywag and drinker of strong black coffee.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m not sure I agree that the Newfoundlanders are better off working in Alberta. Everyone I know that works in Alberta is wishing they could be home with their families. Sure, the money is good but is the quality of life?
Not to mention the living conditions in Alberta. It’s so expensive to live there that many easterners live in small apartments with several other workers all the while paying huge amounts in rent. That’s quite a change from the wide open spaces and beautiful outdoors of Newfoundland.
To second what Rudy has said, I also agree most of us like the money of Alberta and we also like to travel and supply for our families the best we know how. But we love to be home.
I realize both sides are right.
I’m only 21 but I wish Newfoundland could go back to the same old fun loving province as what it always was yet I fear demographics, and economic outcry of something better is hindering our culture. I honestly believe we are unique to the world. Studies/stats revealed Canada is the most loved country in the world (stats taken from late teens to late twenties). Now if thats the case Newfoundland being the most giving in Canada through love and finances plus being the most accommodating province amongst all of our hurts. We show that we are strong and were are still a family made up of 505 thousand people.
Sorry for going off on a tangent, but my point is yes we have been hurt by out past, “I have”, and no Alberta is not the answer. But I do know we need to stick together keep our culture alive, don’t let the Godforsaken Alberta $millions$ get the best of us and try our best to be proud.
For we are actually turning things around back home and I one day what to go back, but until then I’m not going to say were better off and I’m not going to say were worse. I’m just going to say I’m a proud Newfie and God has blessed me and my family many times. I just hope we all agree to keep our roots so the stereotype we have about ourselves will never die.